title: Prevalence and risk factors for cervical and lumbar spondylosis in interventional electrophysiologists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The volume and complexity of interventional electrophysiology procedures have increased greatly over the last 20 years. Anecdotal reports from Canada and elsewhere have suggested an important prevalence of neck and back problems in interventional electrophysiologists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To quantify the scope of neck and back problems, we surveyed 70 interventional electrophysiologists in Canada using an electronic survey with in person and email reminders. We also surveyed an age- and gender-matched group of noninterventional cardiologists. We received responses from a total of 58 of 70 interventional electrophysiologists (response rate 82.8%). There was a significantly higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis among electrophysiologists compared to matched noninterventional cardiologists (20.7% compared to 5.5%, P = 0.033). There was a trend for increased prevalence of lumbar spondylosis (25.9% compared to 16.7%, P = 0.298). Among electrophysiologists, those with cervical spondylosis were older (49.83 ± 10.48 years compared to 44.57 ± 9.20, P = 0.092) and had worked in the specialty for longer in comparison to unaffected physicians (19.67 ± 10.06 years compared to 13.37 ± 8.97 years, P = 0.039). All other variables including gender, height, weight, BMI, type of lead, weekly average lead time, and % of time standing in electrophysiology laboratory were not different. On multivariable analysis there were no independent predictors of disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a significant increased prevalence of cervical spondylosis among interventional electrophysiologists. Programs to improve ergonomics and minimize time spent wearing lead are needed. The same vigilance that is used to ensure radiation safety in the laboratory should be applied to create ergonomic safety.
authors.affiliation: University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Canada Population Health Research Institute-McMaster University, Canada. dbirnie@ottawaheart.ca
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Birnie
authors.forename: Jeff S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Healey
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Krahn
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Crystal
authors.forename: Yaariv
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Khaykin
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chauhan
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Philippon
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Exner
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thibault
authors.forename: Tomascz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hruczkowski
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nery
authors.forename: Arieh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keren
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Redfearn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054849:Cardiac Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010820:Physicians; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires